Rihanna performs on stage during a concert on October 19, 2013 in Abu Dhabi Photo: AFP

Pop superstar Rihanna will happily don a T-shirt and knee-high boots for a trip to the zoo, but as her world tour takes her to the more reserved countries in the Middle East, she's had to adapt her wardrobe accordingly.

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For a performance in Abu Dahbi, the 25-year-old singer swapped her Givenchy leather hot pants and sheer black top for an all-white ensemble that kept her legs firmly concealed from view. Donning a desert cap and white vest top under a light, rainproof jacket, the star opted for jersey jogging bottoms with a skirted layer worn over the top. Lace-up high tops complete her look.

Rihanna on stage in Abu Dhabi. Photo: AFP

Taking in some of the local culture, the Pour It Up singer then staged what appeared to be an impromptu photoshoot at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre. Rihanna uploaded pictures taken by photography duo Steven Gomillion and Dennis Leupold to her Instagram, which showed her posing outside the picturesque mosque in a black jumpsuit topped with a black hijab.

The reaction from users of the social networking site ranged from disgust to praise.

"This completely defeats the purpose of wearing a hijab. It's not a fashion accessory," wrote shlaarovo, while another user wrote: "u guys are funny ..why u soooo mad! ..I think that her wearing the hijab and being all covered up in the mosque is an enough reason to respect her! She respected our culture and in return we should do the same!"

However her photographs were condemned by the Centre, which issued the following statement after asking her to leave: "The Centre strives to ensure that visitors enter the mosque in a decent fashion, and refrain from behaving in any way that is inconsistent with the sanctity of this religious place. In the event of behaviour that violates the moral codes of access to the mosque, or other visit regulations - such as taking inappropriate pictures, posing in ways that are improper in the context of sacred place, talking loudly, or eating - the violators are directed in a polite manner that reflects the civilisational and tolerant attributes of Islam. Usually, the visitors are appreciative of that."

The National
reports how Rihanna did use the main visitors gate and left without actually entering the mosque.